In brief
With the abrupt end of a 13-year civil war, Aleppo witnesses jubilation as residents return to explore their war-torn city, leaving behind scars of the past as they look towards rebuilding their lives.
In the aftermath of the civil war that rocked Syria for over a decade, Aleppo is embracing a period of significant change. The city, once under the oppressive regime of Bashar al-Assad, has witnessed the collapse of many monuments that symbolized the former leader's grip on power. A statue of Basel al-Assad, now battered and mostly destroyed, stands as a testament to this seismic shift, with young locals boldly climbing its remnants and celebrating their newfound freedom.On December 10, 2024, a wave of exiled residents surged back into Aleppo following a swift rebel offensive that ultimately resulted in the removal of Assad from power. Some returned from across the Turkish border, eager to survey their devastated hometown and gauge what remains of their pre-war lives. The atmosphere in Aleppo on this momentous occasion was charged with both joy and nostalgia, as residents navigated through the remnants of homes and neighborhoods they once knew intimately.Among the returnees was Amar Sabir, 23, who fled Aleppo nearly a decade ago seeking safety for her family in Turkey. After marrying and starting her own family, she never lost hope of returning home. With her heart set on Aleppo, she returned and found herself amidst the jubilant throng marking the end of an era in the city. As celebrations unfold across Aleppo’s streets, the sense of uncertainty looms large; many question what future awaits this war-ravaged city and its people.
